How do vascular plants perform photosynthesis in extreme environments? An integrative ecophysiological and biochemical story

In this work, we review the physiological and molecular mechanisms that allow vascular plants to perform photosynthesis in extreme environments, such as deserts, polar and alpine ecosystems. Specifically, we discuss the morpho/anatomical, photochemical and metabolic adaptive processes that enable a positive carbon balance in photosynthetic tissues under extreme temperatures and/or severe water‐limiting conditions in C₃ species. Nevertheless, only a few studies have described the in situ functioning of photoprotection in plants from extreme environments, given the intrinsic difficulties of fieldwork in remote places. However, they cover a substantial geographical and functional range, which allowed us to describe some general trends. In general, photoprotection relies on the same mechanisms as those operating in the remaining plant species, ranging from enhanced morphological photoprotection to increased scavenging of oxidative products such as reactive oxygen species. Much less information is available about the main physiological and biochemical drivers of photosynthesis: stomatal conductance (g_s), mesophyll conductance (g_m) and carbon fixation, mostly driven by RuBisCO carboxylation. Extreme environments shape adaptations in structures, such as cell wall and membrane composition, the concentration and activation state of Calvin–Benson cycle enzymes, and RuBisCO evolution, optimizing kinetic traits to ensure functionality. Altogether, these species display a combination of rearrangements, from the whole‐plant level to the molecular scale, to sustain a positive carbon balance in some of the most hostile environments on Earth.     

Photorespiration in the context of Rubisco biochemistry,CO2 diffusion and metabolism

Photorespiratory metabolism is essential for plants to maintain functional photosynthesis in an oxygen‐containing environment. Because the oxygenation reaction of Rubisco is followed by the loss of previously fixed carbon, photorespiration is often considered a wasteful process and considerable efforts are aimed at minimizing the negative impact of photorespiration on the plant’s carbon uptake. However, the photorespiratory pathway has also many positive aspects, as it is well integrated within other metabolic processes, such as nitrogen assimilation and C₁ metabolism, and it is important for maintaining the redox balance of the plant. The overall effect of photorespiratory carbon loss on the net CO₂ fixation of the plant is also strongly influenced by the physiology of the leaf related to CO₂ diffusion. This review outlines the distinction between Rubisco oxygenation and photorespiratory CO₂ release as a basis to evaluate the costs and benefits of photorespiration.     

Recent developments in mesophyll conductance in C3, C4, and crassulacean acid metabolism plants

The conductance of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from the substomatal cavities to the initial sites of CO₂ fixation (g_m) can significantly reduce the availability of CO₂ for photosynthesis. There have been many recent reviews on: (i) the importance of g_m for accurately modelling net rates of CO₂ assimilation, (ii) on how leaf biochemical and anatomical factors influence g_m, (iii) the technical limitation of estimating g_m, which cannot be directly measured, and (iv) how g_m responds to long‐ and short‐term changes in growth and measurement environmental conditions. Therefore, this review will highlight these previous publications but will attempt not to repeat what has already been published. We will instead initially focus on the recent developments on the two‐resistance model of g_m that describe the potential of photorespiratory and respiratory CO₂ released within the mitochondria to diffuse directly into both the chloroplast and the cytosol. Subsequently, we summarize recent developments in the three‐dimensional (3‐D) reaction‐diffusion models and 3‐D image analysis that are providing new insights into how the complex structure and organization of the leaf influences g_m. Finally, because most of the reviews and literature on g_m have traditionally focused on C₃ plants we review in the final sections some of the recent developments, current understanding and measurement techniques of g_m in C₄ and crassulacean acid metabolism (CAM) plants. These plants have both specialized leaf anatomy and either a spatially or temporally separated CO₂ concentrating mechanisms (C₄ and CAM, respectively) that influence how we interpret and estimate g_m compared with a C₃ plants.     

基于整树称重法的Granier经验公式对毛白杨树干液流测定的适用性

为了评估Granier经验公式在树干液流测定中的适用性,以毛白杨为对象,利用热扩散式探针法(TDP)测定树木的液流速率,以整树称重法进行同步测定,对比分析Granier经验公式在毛白杨树干液流测定中是否存在误差,并对整树称重法测定的蒸腾速率与热扩散法测定的温差系数K进行幂指数回归拟合,建立校正的Granier公式。结果表明:与整树称重法测定的蒸腾速率相比,通过Granier经验公式计算的液流速率低估了67.7%;建立了毛白杨的Granier校正公式F_d=0.0135K^0.6952(R²=0.77),校正后Granier公式的计算结果与整树称重法测定的蒸腾速率相比仅降低了3.4%,具有较好的一致性。因此,采用Granier经验公式计算毛白杨树干液流速率需进行校正。     

High predictability of direct competition between marine diatoms under different temperatures and nutrient states

The distribution of marine phytoplankton will shift alongside changes in marine environments, leading to altered species frequencies and community composition. An understanding of the response of mixed populations to abiotic changes is required to adequately predict how environmental change may affect the future composition of phytoplankton communities. This study investigated the growth and competitive ability of two marine diatoms, Phaeodactylum tricornutum and Thalassiosira pseudonana, along a temperature gradient (9–35°C) spanning the thermal niches of both species under both high‐nitrogen nutrient‐replete and low‐nitrogen nutrient‐limited conditions. Across this temperature gradient, the competitive outcome under both nutrient conditions at any assay temperature, and the critical temperature at which competitive advantage shifted from one species to the other, was well predicted by the temperature dependencies of the growth rates of the two species measured in monocultures. The temperature at which the competitive advantage switched from P. tricornutum to T. pseudonana increased from 18.8°C under replete conditions to 25.3°C under nutrient‐limited conditions. Thus, P. tricornutum was a better competitor over a wider temperature range in a low N environment. Being able to determine the competitive outcomes from physiological responses of single species to environmental changes has the potential to significantly improve the predictive power of phytoplankton spatial distribution and community composition models.     

Thermal adaptations to extreme freeze–thaw cycles in the high tropical Andes

Temperature plays a key role in the biology of ectotherms, including anurans, which are found at higher elevations in the tropics than anywhere in the temperate zone. High elevation tropical environments are characterized by extreme daily thermal fluctuation including high daily maxima and nightly freezing. Our study investigated the contrasting operative temperatures of the anurans Telmatobius marmoratus and Pleurodema marmoratum in different environmental contexts at the same elevation and biome above 5,200 m. Telmatobius marmoratus avoids extremes of daily temperature fluctuation by utilizing thermally buffered aquatic habitat at all life stages, with minimal operative temperature variation (range: 4.6–8.0°C). Pleurodema marmoratum, in contrast, experienced operative temperatures from ?3.5 to 44°C and has one of the widest thermal breadths reported for any tropical frog, from >32°C (critical thermal maximum) to surviving freezing periods of 1 and 6 hr down to ?3.0°C. Our findings expand experimental evidence of frost tolerance in amphibians to the widespread Neotropical family Leptodactylidae, the first such evidence of frost tolerance in a tropical amphibian. Our study identifies three strategies (wide thermal tolerance breadth, use of buffered microhabitats, and behavioral thermoregulation), which allow these tropical frogs to withstand the current wide daily thermal fluctuation above 5,000 m.a.s.l. and which may help them adapt to future climatic changes. Abstract in Spanish is available with online material     

The physiological ups and downs of thermal variability in temperate freshwater ecosystems

Freshwater fish face a variety of spatiotemporal thermal challenges throughout their life. On a broad scale, temperature is an important driver of physiological, behavioural and ecological patterns and ultimately affects populations and overall distribution. These broad patterns are partly underpinned by the small-scale local effects of temperature on individuals within the population. Climate change is increasing the range of daily thermal variation in most freshwater ecosystems, altering behaviour and performance of resident fishes. The aim of this review is understanding how daily thermal variation in temperate rivers affects individual fish physiology, behaviour and overall performance. The following are highlighted in this study: (a) the physical characteristics of rivers that can either buffer or exacerbate thermal variability, (b) the effects of thermal variability on growth and metabolism, (c) the approaches for quantifying thermal variation and thermal stress and (d) how fish may acclimatize or adapt to our changing climate.     

Temperature effect on oxidative stress and egg quality-related genes on post-ovulatory eggs and ovary of red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis)

Red cusk-eel (Genypterus chilensis) is a native species with potential for Chilean aquaculture diversification. However, no information exists on the effects of temperature on oxidative stress and eggs quality markers in post-ovulatory eggs and ovary of this species. We determine that high and low temperature generate oxidative damage on post-ovulatory eggs, with no effect on ovary. Temperature induces thermal stress markers expression on post-ovulatory eggs, and modulates antioxidant and eggs quality markers on post-ovulatory eggs and ovary, information to consider for quality evaluation in the red cusk-eel management.     

Thermal variation near the thermal optimum does not affect the growth,metabolism or swimming performance in wild Atlantic salmon Salmo salar

Typically, laboratory studies on the physiological effects of temperature are conducted using stable acclimation temperatures. Nonetheless, information extrapolated from these studies may not accurately represent wild populations living in thermally variable environments. The aim of this study was to compare the growth rate, metabolism and swimming performance of wild Atlantic salmon exposed to cycling temperatures, 16–21°C, and stable acclimation temperatures, 16, 18.5, 21°C. Growth rate, metabolic rate, swimming performance and anaerobic metabolites did not change among acclimation groups, suggesting that within Atlantic salmon's thermal optimum range, temperature variation has no effect on these physiological properties.